The balance of the tsunami worsens hit Indonesia on Sunday. The latest data speak of over 280 dead, 60 missing and more than a thousand injured, but it is still a provisional count.
The number of victims "will certainly grow", warned Indonesian President Joko Widodo, while rescuers explain that many of the affected areas have not yet been reached.
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The Indonesian authorities have issued an alert inviting residents of the areas affected by the tsunami to "stay away from the beaches". The head of the meteorological agency, Rahmat Riyono, said that another tsunami "is possible", because yesterday's one "was caused by an eruption of the Anak-Krakatau volcano. The chances of a second tsunami in the event of an earthquake are very low, but this is an eruption."
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The gigantic wave destroyed dozens of homes and seriously damaged nine hotels. There was no escape for the employees of the state-owned company PLN, who gathered to celebrate the end of the year. The water also overwhelmed the stage where a rock band, Seventeen, was playing for the event: the bassist was killed along with the manager, 4 other members of the group are among the missing. At least 260 people attended the event.
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At the moment there is no news of foreigners among the victims, but there are beaches in the affected areas which are very popular destinations for international tourism. "The Farnesina Crisis Unit and the Italian Embassy in Jakarta – reads a tweet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – are active in providing any necessary assistance to compatriots on the spot".
#Tunes in #Indonesia | #CrisisUnit of the Farnesina and the Italian Embassy in Jakarta @ItalyinIDN active to provide any necessary assistance to compatriots on the spot. pic.twitter.com/gPMCT1rOSG
— Farnesina?? (@ItalyMFA) 23 December 2018
Yesterday's tsunami was generated by underwater landslides following an eruption at Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island that emerged 90 years ago around the Krakatoa volcano ("the child", in Indonesian), under observation since June.
The new tragedy brings us back to that of December 26, 2004, when a tsunami caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean hit the coasts of all of Southeast Asia, reaching as far as Africa. In that case the victims were between 250 and 270, but a definitive balance was never provided for the very high number of missing, around 50. The most affected region was Indonesia with over 130 confirmed and 170 estimated deaths.
